Report: Manchester United's Sam Johnstone to leave for £1m

Manchester United have recalled goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from his loan move at Doncaster Rovers, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that he is be on his way to Preston North End in a permanent deal.

The 21-year-old ‘keeper recently extended his loan deal at Doncaster but following confirmation that he would be cutting short that deal, it now appears he is set to leave United for good.

The recent signing of former Barcelona stopper Victor Valdes on an 18-month contract suggested some of United’s fringe ‘keepers could be about to leave the club, but it is somewhat surprising that Johnstone could be the first to go given his age.

Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos also remain at United for now, although both will struggle to even make the bench following Valdes’s arrival.

The latest report claims United will sell Johnstone for around £1million, and given his reputation that could prove to be a very canny piece of business by Preston if he does ultimately seal a deal.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. He has worked for HITC for four years and is now Head of Editorial and Journalist Standards.